LogFAQs > #951466628

I surprised myself today by writing 6500 words. I haven't produced that much in a day in quite a while. I've now drafted a chapter from 14 of my characters, and the 15th needs to not be next, which means I need to write from the perspective of the character that I still don't have nailed down. I have little one-off lines here and there where I needed to have someone speak and just went XXX said, but they have absolutely nothing of substance.

Now, I'll have to rewrite these chapters anyway, and I'll make them a more complete character at that point, but here's the problem: I legit don't know who they are. I'm not sure who I want or need. Anyone want to offer any ideas?

Also, gamefaqs wouldn't let me tag this whole section with spoilers because apparently separate lines are separate spoilers and I can only have 15...which is dumb, since it would have been one continuous section. But anyway, putting this disclaimer here for anyone who thinks they might like to read some day AND doesn't want to be spoiled AND thinks I'll actually reach the point of publishing the story.

Existing cast (Americans, not Japanese...white if not otherwise noted):

Male:
Guitarist - Lean, wiry, cantankerous, crass, impulsive, not very bright. Really into chess girl. Imagine if Kazuichi were a bit of a prima donna.
Team manager - Physically, he's corporate Gonta. Has taken on a leadership role, but doesn't strongarm anyone.
Streamer - Short, Hispanic, wears ballcap, very high strung. Not afraid to say things for effect, but not a problem solver.
Investigative reporter - Average build. Pragmatic, to the point, can be obstinate. Not a leader, but will take charge when he wants.
Butcher - Southerner. A little tall, a little doughy. Generally laidback and content to watch the room, but a touch cynical.
Thief - Short, tan, decent looking, I haven't written him well. He's supposed to be a partner to the chemist, astute and wary, but takes her lead.
Cartographer - Arab. Soft-spoken, dignified, academic, quietly passionate.
??? - ???

Female:
Chess player - Average height, well-endowed. Logical, but aloof and unaware of interpersonal stuff.
Children's author - Short, plump, slightly younger. Very innocent and naive. Also energetic. Half kindergartener, half kindergarten teacher. Imagine a human version of Monomi.
Activist - Black, outspoken. Probably exactly what you expect.
Conspiracy theorist - Wears a hoodie and secludes herself from others. Very secretive, but also confrontational when she does come out. Has not yet demonstrated any useful skills because she's too busy playing chapter 1/2 Maki.
Food critic - Pretty average in every way. Really likes team manager.
Fitness Enthusiast - Not as big as Sakura, but bigger than Akane. Originally wrote her as kind of a dumb jock (Aoi), but I'm finding she has more of a brain as I go on.
Chemist - A bit on the tall and strong side, but not as much as the previous. Reads people, schemes, very sus.
Student - Indian. Petite. Has memories wiped, which makes her even more curious so as to fill her gaps.

My notes have prospective talents scribbled at the bottom for the ultimate {dreamer, thespian, nobody, machinist}. I feel like I probably want someone who isn't always, but can be disagreeable, and that isn't an attention-seeker like the actor probably would be. Machinist was based on the idea that there's nobody here who builds of creates anything physically (except arguably the chemist or maybe the butcher.) They don't need to be physical, and they don't need to be un-physical. Nobody in the group is explicitly meek, which the ultimate nobody would be. Or maybe I'm just completely whiffing and there's a component I'm not seeing. I dunno; characterization is usually not my strong suit in writing, so crafting an ensemble cast like this is a really unique experience for me.

Anyway, I could probably write out of sequence, since I think I know what the second-to-next chapter wants to be, which will finally end the introduction phase and launch into the first case, but I really ought to figure out who this last guy is before I go much farther.

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